Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how music and audio content are created. From AI-assisted songwriting tools to fully AI-generated tracks, broadcasters are exploring new ways to program their stations. Along with that experimentation comes an important question: how does AI-generated music fit into internet radio licensing?
Today, we’re introducing Live365’s AI Music Broadcasting Guidelines. Our goal is simple: to help you innovate responsibly while keeping your station compliant and your stream running smoothly.
Why Live365 Created AI Music Guidelines
AI music is an exciting frontier, but it doesn’t fit neatly into existing copyright and royalty systems. Most music licensing frameworks were built around human creators, identifiable rights holders, and established performing rights organizations (PROs).
As a licensed internet radio platform, Live365 wants to give you clear, consistent answers to the questions we hear most, such as:
- Can I play AI-generated music on my station?
- Does Live365’s licensing cover these tracks?
- What happens if AI music sounds like a real artist?
These guidelines exist to protect our community of broadcasters and ensure the long-term sustainability of internet radio.
How Live365 Music Licensing Normally Works
Live365 provides comprehensive music licensing coverage for broadcasters in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. This includes agreements with major organizations like ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, GMR, and SoundExchange.
When you stream traditional copyrighted music:
- The songs have recognized human creators and rights holders
- Those creators are represented by licensing organizations
- Live365 handles royalty reporting when you provide accurate metadata
This system works well for commercial music catalogs. AI-generated music, however, works a little differently.
How AI-Generated Music Fits In (and Where It Doesn’t)
Music created entirely by AI, without meaningful human authorship, may not qualify for traditional copyright protection. Because there’s often no recognized songwriter or PRO representation, AI-generated music is not automatically covered under Live365’s blanket licensing.
That does not mean you can’t use it! It simply means the responsibility shifts to the broadcaster to ensure they have the right permissions.
AI-Generated vs. AI-Assisted Music: A Key Distinction
Understanding this difference is critical for your station’s compliance:
AI-Assisted Music
- Created by a human using AI tools
- The human remains the author
- Generally treated like normal copyrighted music
- Covered under Live365 licensing if properly licensed and reported
Fully AI-Generated Music
- Created with no meaningful human involvement
- May lack copyright protection
- Not included in Live365’s licensing coverage
- Requires the broadcaster to confirm usage rights
What This Means for Live365 Broadcasters
You are welcome to play AI-generated music on your station, provided you have the proper rights. Before you hit "play" on an AI track, we recommend confirming a few details:
- The platform grants commercial use rights: Ensure your specific plan allows for more than just personal use.
- Broadcast and streaming rights are explicitly included: Not all "commercial" licenses cover digital radio transmission.
- There are no restrictions on public performance: Some licenses are limited to background music or social media videos.
- Attribution requirements (if any) are followed: Some tools require you to credit them in your metadata or station imaging.
- Steer clear of AI content that imitates or "clones" real artists: Avoid tracks that use unlicensed vocal models or attempt to recreate recognizable artists, as these carry additional legal risks.
Some AI music services allow broadcast use. Others only allow personal or non-commercial use. The terms matter. If you generate AI music yourself and the platform grants commercial broadcast rights, you can generally use it on your station.
The world of AI music is moving fast, and we’re committed to keeping you informed as the legal and technical landscape evolves. By staying mindful of where your music comes from and ensuring you have the right permissions in place, you can continue to push the boundaries of what your station can do.
Have Questions?
We know the intersection of AI and licensing can feel a bit like uncharted territory. If you’re unsure about a specific AI tool or how to handle metadata for your tracks, our team is here to help. Reach out to our Support team at [email protected].
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